Someone whose reactions have been mild in the past may suddenly experience severe reactions that could be deadly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have reported a 50 percent increase in the number of children with food allergies since the late s. Many theories have been suggested as to why the number of people with food allergies is growing, but scientific research has not yet found the cause. Not yet. Strict avoidance of the food allergen is the only way to prevent a reaction and an epinephrine auto-injector is the only medicine to stop a severe reaction called anaphylaxis.
Peanut, tree nut, fish and shellfish allergies usually are lifelong. Milk, egg, wheat and soy allergies usually begin in childhood and eventually may be outgrown. Only your allergist can test for this. For more information on tests for food allergies, click here. We use cookies to deliver the best possible experience on our website. To learn more, visit our Privacy Policy. By continuing to use this site, or closing this box, you consent to our use of cookies. Please complete the following form to download the resource.
Please complete the following form to download the study. Sign up to tell your friends and neighbors that you want Halloween to be safe for everyone! Submit the form to receive your official Teal Pumpkin Project Pledge certificate to display on your window or door for the entire neighborhood to see. Take Action Donate. Close Search. Home Resources Common Questions. What is a food allergy? What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?
What are the most common food allergens? Allergy, hypersensitivity, and anaphylaxis. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Custovic A, Tovey E. Allergen control for prevention and management of allergic diseases. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. Anaphylaxis -- a practice parameter update Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. PMID: pubmed. Updated by: Stuart I.
Editorial team. Allergic reactions. Common allergens include: Animal dander Bee stings or stings from other insects Foods, especially nuts, fish, and shellfish Insect bites Medicines Plants Pollens.
Common symptoms of a mild allergic reaction include: Hives especially over the neck and face Itching Nasal congestion Rashes Watery, red eyes Symptoms of a moderate or severe reaction include: Abdominal pain Abnormal high-pitched breathing sounds Anxiety Chest discomfort or tightness Cough Diarrhea Difficulty breathing, wheezing Difficulty swallowing Dizziness or lightheadedness Flushing or redness of the face Nausea or vomiting Palpitations Swelling of the face, eyes, or tongue Unconsciousness.
For a mild to moderate reaction: Calm and reassure the person having the reaction. Anxiety can make symptoms worse. Try to identify the allergen and have the person avoid further contact with it. If the person develops an itchy rash, apply cool compresses and an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream. Watch the person for signs of increasing distress. Get medical help. For a mild reaction, a health care provider may recommend over-the-counter medicines, such as antihistamines. Call or the local emergency number.
Calm and reassure the person. If the allergic reaction is from a bee sting, scrape the stinger off the skin with something firm such as a fingernail or plastic credit card. Do not use tweezers -- squeezing the stinger will release more venom. If the person has injectable emergency allergy medicine Epinephrine , administer it at the beginning of a reaction. Are you having trouble breathing more than a stuffy nose? Is there any new swelling? Are the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat swollen?
Did the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat swell quickly? Does swelling involve the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, or the area from one large joint to another, such as from the ankle to the knee? Swelling is across two joints, on soles of feet, or on palms of hands. Is the swelling getting worse over hours or days? Did you get an epinephrine shot to treat the reaction? Is most of your body covered in hives? Hives are raised, red, itchy patches of skin. They usually have red borders and pale centres.
They may seem to move from place to place on the skin. Did the hives appear within the past 3 hours? Are there any symptoms of infection? Do you think you may have a fever? Are there red streaks leading away from the area or pus draining from it? Do you have diabetes, a weakened immune system , peripheral arterial disease, or any surgical hardware in the area?
Diabetes, immune problems, peripheral arterial disease, or surgical hardware in affected area. Does your skin itch? Is the itching severe? Severe means that you are scratching so hard that your skin is cut or bleeding. Has the itching interfered with sleeping or normal activities for more than 2 days? Itching has disrupted sleep or normal activities for more than 2 days.
Could you be having an allergic reaction to a medicine or a vaccine? Almost any medicine can cause an allergic reaction. Think about whether the problem started soon after you began using a new medicine or a higher dose of a medicine. Or did it start after you got a shot or vaccine? Have your symptoms lasted longer than 2 weeks? These include: Your age. Babies and older adults tend to get sicker quicker. Your overall health. If you have a condition such as diabetes, HIV, cancer, or heart disease, you may need to pay closer attention to certain symptoms and seek care sooner.
Medicines you take. Certain medicines, such as blood thinners anticoagulants , medicines that suppress the immune system like steroids or chemotherapy, or natural health products can cause symptoms or make them worse.
Recent health events , such as surgery or injury. These kinds of events can cause symptoms afterwards or make them more serious.
Your health habits and lifestyle , such as eating and exercise habits, smoking, alcohol or drug use, sexual history, and travel. Try Home Treatment You have answered all the questions. Try home treatment to relieve the symptoms. Call your doctor if symptoms get worse or you have any concerns for example, if symptoms are not getting better as you would expect. You may need care sooner. Symptoms of infection may include: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness in or around the area.
Red streaks leading from the area. Pus draining from the area. A fever. For example: You may feel a little out of breath but still be able to talk mild difficulty breathing , or you may be so out of breath that you cannot talk at all severe difficulty breathing.
It may be getting hard to breathe with activity mild difficulty breathing , or you may have to work very hard to breathe even when you're at rest severe difficulty breathing. Long-term alcohol and drug problems. Steroid medicines, which may be used to treat a variety of conditions. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
Other medicines used to treat autoimmune disease. Medicines taken after organ transplant. Not having a spleen. These include: Passing out losing consciousness.
Feeling very dizzy or light-headed, like you may pass out. Feeling very weak or having trouble standing. Not feeling alert or able to think clearly. You may be confused, restless, fearful, or unable to respond to questions. Being very sleepy or hard to wake up. Not responding when being touched or talked to.
Breathing much faster than usual. Acting confused. The child may not know where he or she is. Make an Appointment Based on your answers, the problem may not improve without medical care.
Make an appointment to see your doctor in the next 1 to 2 weeks. If appropriate, try home treatment while you are waiting for the appointment. If symptoms get worse or you have any concerns, call your doctor. Seek Care Today Based on your answers, you may need care soon. Call your doctor today to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care today.
If it is evening, watch the symptoms and seek care in the morning. If the symptoms get worse, seek care sooner. Seek Care Now Based on your answers, you may need care right away. Call your doctor now to discuss the symptoms and arrange for care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, seek care in the next hour. You do not need to call an ambulance unless: You cannot travel safely either by driving yourself or by having someone else drive you.
You are in an area where heavy traffic or other problems may slow you down. Call Now Based on your answers, you need emergency care. If you cannot reach your doctor or you don't have one, go to the emergency room now.
You may have a reaction after the epinephrine wears off. Home Treatment You can use home treatment to relieve symptoms of: Itching or hives. Avoid more contact with whatever you think is causing the hives. A sore throat caused by post-nasal drip. Gargle with warm salt water to help ease throat soreness. Hay fever or other seasonal allergies. Use saline drops or a humidifier to help clear a stuffy nose.
Or take an allergy medicine that's specific to your symptoms. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label. Allergies that are worse in damp weather. Meld may be the cause of allergies that get worse in damp weather. Meld produces spores that move, like pollen, in outdoor air during warmer months. During winter months, indoor moulds can also be a problem. Indoor allergies. Newer, energy-saving homes that are built with double- or triple-paned windows and more insulation keep heat and allergens indoors.
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